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Editorial - Berger's amotion, PPD and wild animals

Published: Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

Berger battles

Embattled New Hanover County Commissioner Brian Berger failed to delay a hearing scheduled for today on whether he is fit to serve on the board of commissioners. The process, known as amotion, is one that is rarely used but not unprecedented in government. Lacking any reasonable argument that his actions represent those of a diligent, competent public official, Berger is seeking a ruling on whether the process is legal.

That's his right. And it's also evidence that North Carolina needs a well-regulated process for removing elected officials who are no longer competent to carry out their duties but, like Berger, are too arrogant or unaware to do the right thing and resign.

This isn't something that should be taken lightly. In most cases the will of the voters should be respected, or at least tolerated. But the argument for ousting Berger is based not just on the fact that he is annoying, habitually tardy or absent from important meetings. His erratic personal behavior and especially his abusive treatment of county employees – to the point of accusing individuals of corruption and nocturnal visits to the county office complex that border on creepy – cross the line of tolerance.

He is not fit to serve. Censuring him did no good. Urging him to resign, or merely to take a leave of absence to get his act together, has not worked.

If it turns out that the commissioners cannot legally remove him from the board, they should do everything in their power to prevent him from doing any further damage and from having any direct contact with the staff unless he can do so without subjecting them to abuse.

PPD incentives

PPD may have to give up some of the incentives promised by Wilmington and New Hanover County if it doesn't fulfill a commitment to bring 1,857 jobs to its headquarters by the end of this year. A deal is a deal, after all, and company officials certainly are aware of what they might have to give up.

But there's no denying that PPD's presence has been positive for downtown Wilmington. And if the company doesn't have the required number of employees working there, it's close. As of December, when the formerly public company was taken private, the company had 1,700 employees downtown.

The headquarters represented a significant commitment by founder Fred Eshelman, whose attempt to move the headquarters to the heart of downtown Wilmington were rebuffed by the city council. Rather than move out of Wilmington, the company leased space at 17th Street and Independence Boulevard for a few years before once again attempting to move downtown.

The company spent $80 million to build the headquarters and received substantial financial help with infrastructure and other logistics from the city.

If the company can meet the jobs quota by the end of the year, it will get the entire $2.125 million incentives package in installments over the next few years. If not, it will forfeit part of the money – the agreement allows for the company to receive partial payment because jobs were created.

A bigger concern is whether the new owners will continue to have the same loyalty to Wilmington as its founder. But for now, PPD represents an economic asset that not only brought jobs but also has helped change the face of the northern riverfront.

Critter traffic control

It is costing the N.C. Department of Transportation $1.4 million apiece to build wildlife paths as part of the Interstate 140 project, but this isn't just about protecting cute little animals from getting squashed.

Anyone who has ever struck a deer or bear with a car knows how dangerous it can be when a wild animal wanders onto the road.

To those drivers, the dollars invested in alternate paths represent money well spent.

<p class="bold allcaps">Berger battles</p>
<p>Embattled New Hanover County Commissioner <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9976"><b>Brian Berger</b></a> failed to delay a hearing scheduled for today on whether he is fit to serve on the board of commissioners. The process, known as amotion, is one that is rarely used but not unprecedented in government. Lacking any reasonable argument that his actions represent those of a diligent, competent public official, Berger is seeking a ruling on whether the process is legal.</p><p>That's his right. And it's also evidence that North Carolina needs a well-regulated process for removing elected officials who are no longer competent to carry out their duties but, like Berger, are too arrogant or unaware to do the right thing and resign.</p><p>This isn't something that should be taken lightly. In most cases the will of the voters should be respected, or at least tolerated. But the argument for ousting Berger is based not just on the fact that he is annoying, habitually tardy or absent from important meetings. His erratic personal behavior and especially his abusive treatment of county employees – to the point of accusing individuals of corruption and nocturnal visits to the county office complex that border on creepy – cross the line of tolerance.</p><p>He is not fit to serve. Censuring him did no good. Urging him to resign, or merely to take a leave of absence to get his act together, has not worked. </p><p>If it turns out that the commissioners cannot legally remove him from the board, they should do everything in their power to prevent him from doing any further damage and from having any direct contact with the staff unless he can do so without subjecting them to abuse.</p><h3>PPD incentives</h3>
<p>PPD may have to give up some of the incentives promised by Wilmington and New Hanover County if it doesn't fulfill a commitment to bring 1,857 jobs to its headquarters by the end of this year. A deal is a deal, after all, and company officials certainly are aware of what they might have to give up.</p><p>But there's no denying that PPD's presence has been positive for downtown Wilmington. And if the company doesn't have the required number of employees working there, it's close. As of December, when the formerly public company was taken private, the company had 1,700 employees downtown.</p><p>The headquarters represented a significant commitment by founder <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9903"><b>Fred Eshelman</b></a>, whose attempt to move the headquarters to the heart of downtown Wilmington were rebuffed by the city council. Rather than move out of Wilmington, the company leased space at 17th Street and Independence Boulevard for a few years before once again attempting to move downtown.</p><p>The company spent $80 million to build the headquarters and received substantial financial help with infrastructure and other logistics from the city.</p><p>If the company can meet the jobs quota by the end of the year, it will get the entire $2.125 million incentives package in installments over the next few years. If not, it will forfeit part of the money – the agreement allows for the company to receive partial payment because jobs were created.</p><p>A bigger concern is whether the new owners will continue to have the same loyalty to Wilmington as its founder. But for now, PPD represents an economic asset that not only brought jobs but also has helped change the face of the northern riverfront.</p><h3>Critter traffic control</h3>
<p>It is costing the N.C. Department of Transportation $1.4 million apiece to build wildlife paths as part of the Interstate 140 project, but this isn't just about protecting cute little animals from getting squashed.</p><p>Anyone who has ever struck a deer or bear with a car knows how dangerous it can be when a wild animal wanders onto the road. </p><p>To those drivers, the dollars invested in alternate paths represent money well spent.</p>